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Mamak Khadem Sings the Poetry of Sohrab Sepehri

Asia Society Presents!

Mamak Khadem.

Called "...one of the wonders of world trance music" by The Los Angeles Times, Mamak Khadem captivates audiences by blending her roots in the ancient poetry and music of the Persian masters with a bold and revolutionary new sound. By nature, she is a nomad, one who thrives on open spaces. By occupation, she is a bridge, one that connects geography to lore. In music, she is open to cultural influences, but she has chosen the classical Persian style as her base. Formerly of the sensational cross-cultural fusion ensemble AXIOM OF CHOICE, Mamak weaves a canopy, both simple and rich, for a stunningly emotional and spiritual musical experience that inspires new listeners to embrace cultural diversity and an awareness and appreciation of Persian arts and culture through a blending of old and new.

Inspired by the poetry and paintings of Iranian artist Sohrab Sepehri, Mamak’s new project "A Window To Color" shares a message of peace and understanding through an exploration of what is most sacred in the natural world as expressed in Sepehri’s contributions to the cannon of Persian literature, culture, history, and traditions. Like Sepehri, Mamak seeks to explore the intersections of Eastern and Western traditions.

At Asia Society Texas Center, Mamak will be collaborating with Sahba Motallebi and other performers and instrumentalists from Iran and the West. Mamak hopes to inspire people around the world, particularly the young, to contemplate, observe, and celebrate the value of nature and the environment.

Presented in association with the 20th Annual Iranian Film Festival. For information about the screenings to be held at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and Rice Cinema, click here.

About Mamak Khadem

Mamak Khadem was born in Iran, at a time when tides were changing. She was part of the Children's Choir for National Radio and Television of Iran, but it wasn't until after the Iranian Revolution that her passion for singing waxed. Inspired by works of master musicians, she seized every opportunity to further her vocal art, regularly traveling back to Iran to study with some of the finest Persian vocalists and masters. She also benefited from the study of classical Indian singing tradition at the Ali Akbar Khan College of Music in Northern California and from singing with the Los Angeles based Balkan choir Nevenka.

Mamak has appeared throughout the Middle East, the US and Europe, performing at the Perth Concert Hall in Australia, the Greek Theater (Los Angeles,) the Smithsonian Institute (Washington DC), the Museum of Folk Instruments (Greece), the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, House of Culture in Germany, California Plaza Grand Performances (Los Angeles), the Skirball Cultural Center (Los Angeles), the World Festival of Sacred Music (Los Angeles), the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (Los Angeles), and Voices of Women Festival (Greece).

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